THE EVOLUTION OF THE CLINICAL ACTIVITY OF SYSTEMIC LUPUS-ERYTHEMATOSUS AFTER RENAL-TRANSPLANTATION

BACKGROUND: To study the clinical activity of systemic lupus erythemat osus (SLE) in recipients of renal transplants (rT) performed by termin al renal failure (TRF) secondary to lupic nephritis. METHODs: The clin ical evolution of 11 patients with SLE (ARA criteria) and TRF were eva luated with a descriptive character by the modified index of activity SLE-DAI during dialysis periods and post rT as well as in the course p rior to disease. A comparative analysis was carried out in a control g roup of 25 patients with SLE without renal failure. RESULTs: The index es of activity of the group investigated were higher than those of the control group during the predialysis period, similar in the dialysis period and significantly decreased (p < 0.01) In the post rT. In the g roup with rT a significant decrease was reported in the indexes of act ivity in the periods of dialysis (p < 0.05) and post rT (p < 0.01) wit h respect to the previous period. A significant reduction was observed in the post rT therapeutic options. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical activit y of systemic lupus erythematosus is reduced in the terminal renal fai lure in dialysis. The most significant reduction of clinical activity is found after renal transplantation.